Congress leader Digvijaya Singh is in the centre of a storm after he said that the literacy rates of Muslims and Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) were at par but despite that Muslims were underrepresented in government jobs compared to SC/ST communities. Singh made the remarks during a discussion about the Congress' stance on caste-based quotas and the ongoing caste census. Amid criticism over his remarks, Singh also made derogatory comments about Madhya Pradesh BJP president VD Sharma, stating, "If VD Sharma thinks I am a helper of terrorists, toh mujhe unki napunsakta pe nirasha hoti hai."The BJP hit back, accusing the Congress of having a hidden agenda behind the caste census, while also criticising the former chief minister's language. "The true agenda behind Congress's caste census has been revealed. Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has claimed that Muslims are less represented in government jobs compared to SC/ST communities. This implies that Congress aims to shift the rights from SC/ST communities to Muslims. This issue had previously been highlighted in Congress's manifesto. Today, Digvijaya Singh has confirmed this agenda. This is the real motive behind Congress's caste census, and their hidden agenda," MP BJP spokesperson Narendra Saluja said. VD Sharma condemned Singh's language as inappropriate and disrespectful, saying, "I respect Digvijaya Singh, but the language he has used in his comments is not appropriate. Given his seniority and the position he has held, I believe using such words is unacceptable. Nevertheless, Digvijaya Singh, I want to tell you that if, based on your comments, you aim to take away the rights of our tribal and scheduled caste brothers and sisters to give them to Muslims, and if I oppose this, then I accept that label of 'impotence'."Digvijaya Singh's comments also drew criticism from BJP leaders and supporters with party spokesperson Shubham Shukla saying, "That Digvijaya Singh who is involved in extramarital relationship with females aged equal to his children is talking about the President of BJP."